Dedham
Parish Council

DEDHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting held on 11^th March, 2009

in the Assembly Rooms 

Present:   In the Chair     Cllr. P. Moorhouse   

                       Councillors:     R. Appleby, Mrs. A. Cannon, R. Cannon, M.Dempsey,

                                                B. Hindley, R. Laverick, Mrs. K. Spencer

                       Parish Clerk:    Mrs. J. Flewin

                       Electors:           4 

Prior to the meeting Mrs. Samantha Drummond gave a report on the work of the Colchester Community Voluntary Services giving a background to the need for volunteer drivers.  At present a WVS aided service operates mainly for patients of the East Bergholt medical centre and Mrs. Drummond, on the recommendation of the PCT, hoped that the two services could be mutually beneficial to Dedham residents.

Posters will be displayed and a supply of handouts left.  There will also be an item placed in the parish magazine.                                                      

1.        APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Ward Cllr. Garnett and Cllr. White. 

2.      MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING having been circulated were approved. 

3.      MATTERS ARISING 

(a)        Allotments  Cllr. Mrs. Spencer had organised a meeting of those interested in an allotment and residents local to the proposed site and this had been fruitful.  It had been agreed that the entrance to the site should be from Ardleigh Road rather than Long Road and an independent allotment association formed.  Funding was as yet undecided and grants would need to be sought.  It was pointed out that the Parish Council had made no financial commitment and agreement for use of 106 Agreement money not obtained.  There was a need for grants to be sought elsewhere before any decisions could be made.  It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. Dempsey, with all in favour, that Cllr. Mrs. Spencer should continue to further the project, form an allotment association and investigate grants, etc. probably with the assistance of the Colchester Allotment Association.  Cllr. Mrs. Spencer was happy to continue to organise this and the Chairman thanked her for taking this on. 

    (b)  106 Agreement   The PCSO will be speaking to the Youth Club about the Youth Shelter and has organised the mobile police unit to attend some time in May.

The Sports club had been consulted and a request made for the car parking area behind the pavilion to be tidied and some form of re-surfacing work done.  The footpath needed to be delineated so that motorists were more aware.  Members were asked to look at the area and bring their views to the next meeting.  Other items on the list presented by the working party needed further thought and will come on the agenda for the April meeting. 

    (c) Crown Street Crossing  There was nothing further to report.  One letter of objection had been received and Cllr. Dempsey will reply.

(d)  Flowers in the High Street   Now that the weather had improved the Chairman will organise a meeting with Cllrs Mrs. Cannon and Appleby to have a High Street walkabout..

(e)     Equipment for Mr. Hodson  No response as yet. 

       (f)   Land in Coopers Lane   Cllr. Cannon read a summary of the events involving the investigation of a site in Coopers Lane for affordable housing.  This had come about purely because of the persistence of a land developer who had involved the RCCE who had visited the site and pronounced it totally unsuitable.  Should the Parish Council wish to pursue affordable housing RCCE could carry out the necessary survey for “need” which would cost £1,200.   Residents of Coopers Lane are still concerned as Cllr. Cannon understood from them that the site has been visited again and some sort of survey/measuring has taken place.  Affordable housing can only be considered as part of the sustainability of any village and Dedham village  already has a high percentages of affordable/social housing.  At the present time there are no plans for more.   

 (g) Parking at Sports Pavilion  This is an ongoing problem affecting Southfields and pedestrians in general.  PCSO is aware (see report). 

       (h)VAS  ECC Community Initiatives Fund (Highways) have agreed to recommend a grant for the VAS on Long Road East.  Once the area has been visited and prospective sites identified local residents will be consulted via the card process.  

   4.  CORRESPONDENCE 

      (a)  High Street Consultation  Highways advised a proposed amendment to parking bays outside the White House, Dedham.which would mean the loss of one parking bay to facilitate access to the development at White House.  Members were opposed to this as being detrimental to other residents.  Two parking bays have been lost in this area recently as being too near the junction with Stratford Road.

     (b)  Flooding – Crabtree Cottage, Long Road East   A copy of a letter to Highways from a resident dealt with a severe hazard of flooding, etc. in the vicinity of Crabtree Cottage where loss of life and other accidents have occurred.  It was suggested that Highways be consulted for their response and views before taking any further steps. 

5.  REPORT OF PCSO  In her absence the PCSO report was read to the meeting.

There had been two further thefts from vehicles left overnight in the Mill Lane car park.  This is still being highly patrolled and security advice has been given to those concerned.  School Watch is now up and running and Dedham School has joined the scheme.   Natalie attended school during reading week and read to the youngsters.

She has advised on parking and signage near the White House to assist traffic and is currently waiting for Highways and Cllr. Garnett to make contact on the issue of parking at the pavilion, Southfields/corner Crown Street.   In conjunction with a police colleague notices have been placed on vehicles deemed to be parked in an inconsiderate manner to other road users of obstructing pavements.

6. FOOTPATHS/PLAY AREA  The bridge over Blackbrook on the Essex Way has already been repaired and now has two handrails instead of one.   It is hoped that a programme of replacing stiles with kissing gates will take place between Coles Oak Lane and Stratford Road.  Cllr. Appleby will monitor refuse dumping on the footpaths in the vicinity of Coopers Lane. Cllr. Laverick was pleased to announce that PPP have agreed to pay the OS licence cost in respect of Dedham Footpath Map. 

7. DEDHAM SURGERY  Nothing to report. 

8. ACCOUNTS  It was agreed that the following accounts be paid:                                                                                                            £                                                                                                                      

Mr. A. Hodson – Hours worked in February                                132.00

Mrs. O.M. Ruff – Litter                                                                162.00

Clerk’s Qtrly Acc. Jan/March                                                       847.19

CBC Electricity                                                                             112.34

CPRE subs.                                                                                    29.00

St. Mary’s Church – Duchy Field                                                   50.00

9. PLANNING  The Planning sub-committee has dealt with the following applications which were received after agenda was issued:

 COL/09/0212  4 Victoria Cottages, Long Road West, Dedham.

                            (re-submission of 1979)

                            Convert garage into dwelling

  Comments:        “Called in”.

COL/09/0263     Land adj. To 3 Church View, Long Road West, Dedham.

                           (re-submission of 1800)

                           Agricultural building 

 Comments:        Further details required.  Further site meeting to be held.

COL/09/0276     Marlborough Head Hotel, Dedham.

                           New staircase, door and platform. 

 Comments:        No objections.

Colchester Borough Council has approved the following applications: 

COL/08/2090  9-11 Coopers Lane, Dedham.

                        New single storey and two storey ext. Demolish existing rear extension and build garage.

COL/08/2101  Park Farm, Coopers Lane, Dedham.

                        Menage

COL/08/2134  Crown House, Crown Street, Dedham.

                         Enclosure for swimming pool.

COL/08/2125   Glyncroft, Coggeshall Road, Dedham.

                          Blocking off original access and retention of new access.

COL/08/2052    Land adj. To old Shire Horse Centre, East Lane, Dedham.

                          Clean water wildlife pond.

Colchester Borough council has refused the following appliocation:

 COL/08/2052   Gun Hill Garage, Old Ipswich Road, Dedham.

                         Construct bunding and landscaping.

10. REPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCILLOR   In his absence Cllr. Garnett’s report was read to the meeting.  A fresh walkabout with ECC Highways is being arranged. Date to be notified.  CBC advised that a limited amount of funding for community fencing was available and Cllr. Garnett asked to be informed if there were any issues under this heading.   The bend on Gun Hill was to be surveyed to check vehicle speeds and if this shows that there are excessive speeds the provision of additional signage in the new financial year will be considered.  So far as parking is concerned Cllr. Garnett suggested that the Sports Club be asked to notify visiting teams of the parking restrictions and that CBC parking attendants will be requested to visit on home game days to enforce no parking.  Initially Cllr. Mrs. Cannon will discuss this with the Sports Club. 

The attended refuse freighter scheme will visit Parson’s Field, Dedham, on 25^th April, 20^th June and 17^th October.  Details of dates and times will be published in the magazine. 

There will be a Council Tenants Meeting in the Duchy Barn on 3^rd April at 2 p.m.

Cllr. Garnett would be happy to ask questions on behalf of tenants who cannot attend.   

This meeting will be announced in the parish magazine.   The new Business Board will be installed with a press report.  Posters and Flyers are being prepared. 

CBC have looked at Long Road West but feel it is inappropriate to install a pedestrian refuge in an area without street lighting.  There is also some doubt about the number of pedestrians who might use any facility provided there,   Cllr. Mrs. Spencer said that it was Long Road East which caused her concern and it was suggested that perhaps this could be included in the forthcoming walkabout. 

In Crown Street the bus stop flag near Forge Street has been amended to show “buses stop both sides”.  If passengers are still waiting outside Marylee the operator concerned should be contacted so that additional guidance can be provided. 

11.PUBLIC REPRESENTATION  Comments were made at the poor state of the roads following the bad weather.  Potholes were appearing in many areas and even those which had been dealt with were not good. 

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS   Cllr. Appleby reiterated his concern at the parking on the Forge Street apron during school delivery and collection times.  This coupled with the parking on Crown Street was very dangerous.  The crossroads sign on Castle Hill was missing and consequently there was no warning of the very hazardous exit from Coopers Lane into Crown Street.  One of the 30 mph signs in East Lane had been damaged by a lorry and needed replacing.  Cllr. Laverick will report these problems.  Although there had been hope that the Hoppa Bus Service might be resumed Cllr. Laverick advised that the available funding was not sufficient and he feared this would not take place. He has asked to be kept informed.  Some of the new trees which were put on the Sports Field need to be moved as they are obstructing the grass cutting and Cllr. Laverick agreed to deal with this.  Cllr. Laverick wondered whether an approach could be made to The Essex Rose, for instance, with a view to setting up an Internet Café.  There were no objections to this if Cllr. Laverick wished to follow this up.  Cllr. Mrs. Cannon asked if the grass could be cut back either side of The Drift, the width of which had been greatly reduced by overgrowth.  Mr. Hodson will be asked for a quote for the job.  Cllr. Cannon felt that a SLOW sign on the road at Ardleigh Road would be helpful in the vicinity of the VAS.  It was suggested that this could be put on the list for the proposed walkabout. He also asked that the Parish Plan be placed on the agenda for the next meeting .

The roof of the Duchy Barn Shed was in need of attention and Cllr. Laverick will arrange to have this looked at to find out exactly what is required. 

13. DATE & TIME OF NEXT MEETING   The next meeting will be held on 8^th April, 2009, at 7.30 p.m. in the Assembly Rooms, Dedham.

Please note that the date of the June meeting will be Tuesday, 9^th June, 2009, venue to be advised.

 There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.